Silverfish

Silverfish in Florida

Don’t be surprised if you see silverfish (also known as firebrats) in your kitchen. They’re sneaky creatures equipped with special enzymes that allow them to consume cellulose, which is abundant in various household items. Florida’s humid climate makes your home an ideal sanctuary for silverfish to thrive.

These elusive pests can be found wherever there’s a supply of books, clothing, starches, or dry goods. With their flattened bodies, they effortlessly slip into the tiniest of nooks, such as a book’s binding, loose pages, or the folds of corrugated cardboard.

Silverfish Habitat

Silverfish feed on carbohydrates, proteins, and molted shells and remains of their peers. These night crawlers thrive in humid surroundings and tend to seek refuge in the damper areas of your home (laundry rooms, beneath sinks in kitchens and bathrooms, and crawl spaces). 

In Florida, the fight against silverfish requires a proactive approach. Reducing humidity in your home through the use of dehumidifiers and ensuring proper ventilation can make your living space less inviting to these pests. Regularly inspecting and cleaning areas where silverfish might find food or harbor, such as bookshelves, closets, pantries, and under sinks, also helps keep their numbers under control.

Silverfish Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

While they may lack the ability to bite or sting, silverfish can lead to expensive property damage as a result of their dietary habits. With jaws designed more for scraping than biting, their feeding routines often leave behind holes in fabrics and tell-tale signs of wear on paper goods and wallpapers. These pesky critters mostly infiltrate your pantry, contaminating food items like cereals, grains, pastas, and even pet food. 

Should you find yourself facing a silverfish situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to your trusted local pest control experts.